Bill to reopen government heads to House; COP30 : NPR

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Today's top news

Last night, the US Senate voted 60 to 40 to approve the continuing resolution to reopen the government. Speaker Mike Johnson recalled the House of Representatives back to Washington, D.C. because they would have to pass this measure before President Trump can sign it into law.

• 🎧 In addition to voting on the stopgap funding measure, lawmakers voted on three bipartisan annual appropriations bills. that cover specific agencies like the FDA, says NPR's Sam Greenglass Up first. Moving forward with these measures means There is a possibility of a partial government shutdown at the end of January, but programs like SNAP will continue. A provision to extend expiring health care subsidies was not included in the measure, but Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he would hold a vote by mid-December. In subsidy legislation, Democrats who support them will need something that can win enough Republican votes.
• 🎧 Seven Senate Democrats and one independent joined Republicans in voting to reopen the government.motion drawing reaction from left voters who say the party continues to backslide on key priorities. Notes from NPR's Domenico Montanaro Democrats may have an advantage move on to next year's midterm elections if affordability and cost of living remain major concerns.

Delegates from nearly 200 countries began climate talks at COP30 in Brazil. As at previous summits, negotiations start on a weak note as countries are still not achieving their goals reduce heat emissions from burning fossil fuels.

• 🎧 The world is currently on track to warm by five degrees FahrenheitNPR's Lauren Sommer reports that could cause heat waves and storms to become more intense, and could cause ecosystems like coral reefs to have a low chance of survival. But there is good news: More than 90% of new energy projects built last year were built on renewable energy sources. electricity is getting cleaner around the world.
• ➡️ Stay up to date with the latest news from COP30 with this exclusive playlist with stories for the application.

Some white Afrikaners and Afrikaans groups are now opposing the US administration's claims.denoting them as “lies” and “untruths” made in their name. The backlash followed Trump's announcement that no US officials would attend the G20 summit, which South Africa is hosting as the current chair of the world's largest group of economies, later this month in Johannesburg, citing concerns over “human rights”.

Live better

Living better is special series about what it takes to stay healthy in America.

In recent years, efforts to improve Americans' health have focused on reducing consumption of ultra-processed foods, which make up a large portion of the American diet. Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the products were “poisoning” Americans. But public health and nutrition experts still disagree with the definition of ultra-processed foods:

• 🍟The term describes the degree to which food is processed: from unprocessed or minimally processed to foods with industrial ingredients and additives.
• 🍟 Some experts say that some ultra-processed foods, such as plant-based milk, may have health benefits.
• 🍟For many they are also more affordable and accessible. However, consumers looking for healthier options may be looking to make more informed decisions in the ultra-processed food category and reduce their sugar intake.

Behind the story

This essay was written by Quil Lawrence, NPR Veterans Correspondent

It's Veterans Day and NPR is the only leading national network with a dedicated veteran reporter. This week, Quil Lawrence released a two-part podcast on Sunday story from the series “First”which tells the story of Dave Carlson, an Iraq War veteran he has spoken with for over a decade.

Back in 2015, I wrote a story that prompted me to talk to some incarcerated veterans. It was then that someone told me an amazing fact: when you are imprisoned, you become a ward of the state. This means that there is no point in the Department of Veterans Affairs taking care of you because another part of the government is taking care of you. And you'll lose a lot of veteran's benefits.

I wanted to know: What is it like to struggle with PTSD and then find yourself in this environment where you can't let your guard down, where you can't truly heal, and where you don't have access to services that could help? So I looked for an incarcerated veteran to interview. And then I found a website that presents Carlson’s works from prison. His mom organized it for him and helped me get in touch.

This question has haunted me since I was a war reporter assigned to active duty troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. This was the first major series of wars we experienced without the draft, meaning many American families did not have to endure the experience of combat or send loved ones to fight in these wars. This can make veterans feel this loneliness and cultural disconnect.

I wanted to know: What do we owe to people who were sent to war and returned with painful but often invisible wounds? I don't know if I've fully found the answer, but this podcast helped me understand this question through Carlson's story. Ultimately, I think what we owe veterans the most is an open mind. And remember that most veterinarians are just like you and me.

Listen The first part of the podcast is here And Part 2 here.

3 things you need to know before your trip

1. David Szalay's latest fantasy novel. Fleshhas won this year's Booker Prizeone of the most prestigious awards in the field of literature.
2. US Supreme Court yesterday refused to consider the contested case the landmark 2015 decision to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide.
3. The Jacksonville Jaguars will play their home games in Orlando in 2027 when their stadium undergoes a $1.4 billion renovation, an Orlando City Council member confirmed. (by using VUSF)

This newsletter has been edited Majd All-Why.